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The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director

1762
Not on view
This third edition of Chippendale's "Director" is considered the most important 18th century collection of English furniture designs. In 1752, the author issued a first version aimed at cabinet-makers containing one hundred and sixty-one engraved illustrations. Here expanded to two hundred, the work caught the interest of patrons as well as craftsmen. In addition to chairs, tables, bed, bookcases, and cabinets, Chippendale added clock cases, pier glasses (mirrors), girendoles (candle holders), picture frames, stove grates, borders for paper hangings and designs for brass handles and escutcheons to adorn furniture. Ranging from French and Venetian Rococo, to Gothic and Chinese, these designs were used to create coordinated interiors in a range of styles.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director
  • Artist and publisher: Thomas Chippendale (British, baptised Otley, West Yorkshire 1718–1779 London)
  • Artist: Matthias Darly (British, ca. 1720–1780 London)
  • Artist: Tobias Müller (German, active London, ca. 1752–1778)
  • Artist: Johann Sebastian Müller (German, Nuremberg 1715–1790 London)
  • Artist: Cornelius Heinrich Hemmerich (active Britain, 18th century)
  • Artist: Butler Clowes (British, ca.1730–after 1782)
  • Artist: Edward Rooker (British, London 1711–1774 London)
  • Artist: Isaac Taylor I (British, Worcester 1730–1807 Edmonton, Greater London)
  • Artist: William Foster (British, 18th century)
  • Artist: Thomas Morris (British, active 1750–1811)
  • Artist: James Hulett (British, died 1771)
  • Publisher: Thomas Becket (London)
  • Publisher: P. A. de Hondt (London)
  • Published in: London
  • Date: 1762
  • Medium: Illustrations: etching and engraving
  • Dimensions: book: 18 1/8 x 11 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. (46 x 29.8 x 4.7 cm)
    page: 17 15/16 x 10 13/16 in. (45.6 x 27.5 cm)
  • Classifications: Books, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.1133
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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